Chicago Circus Shoot with Duo Rose

We’ve never done a shoot like this! Circus photography with Duo Rose

We’re so excited to share this next series of images from a recent editorial style photo shoot with Circus performers from MSA & Circus Arts. Our first post features the married couple, Sylvia and Sam, known in the industry as the Duo Rose. Their routine is so compelling because it’s not only technically breathtaking, with splits, twists, and one armed drops, but also incredibly romantic, ending on a soft note with a gentle kiss.

Sam and Syliva are internationally recognized performers, traveling the World to share their aerial act, even visiting Havana, Cuba, where they were awarded the bronze medal during the 9th International Circus Festival.

Laurie and I are incredibly inspired by movement, so to work with Syliva and Sam, was an absolute treat. The fact that they also happen to love one another, made it even more swoon-worthy. Laurie and I were a thrilled peanut gallery while taking these pictures.

Check back soon for more from our visit to MSA & Circus Arts!

We couldn’t have done this shoot with out our amazing team, including Makeup Artists, Emily Wolf, Jewelry designer Zurina Ketola, assistant Kelly Feldmiller.

Chicago Dance Portraits

By Maggie Rife Ponce

As promised, here are the pictures from Luvabull dance, Brittany Brown’s dance portrait session at North Avenue Beach. We had such an amazing time collaborating on this shoot with Brittany and makeup artist Emily Wolf. These two gals are soooo inspiring!

Check back soon for more dance shoots taken throughout the city.

A sky high dance shoot with a Chicago Luvabull

By Maggie Rife Ponce

Chicago Dance Photography with Lovabull Brittany Brown

On our love for Chicago Dance Photography–In addition to our deep love for photography, there are a few other things that make Laurie and my heart pitter-patter. Travel, makeup, a great book, an epic song, and of course, dance. Though neither of us are formally trained, we each have spent hours at salsa clubs shaking our bootays. Laurie even met her husband salsa dancing.

We love the freeing feeling that comes over us as we twirl until our hearts are racing and can’t contain our laughter. It’s liberating when when your hips loosen up and you no longer feel inhibited.

Even watching dance ignites the same uplifting emotions. Seeing the Joffery ballerinas leap into the air brought tears to my eyes, and I have to confess, I’ve seen the live show, “So You Think You Can Dance” not once but twice. Each time left me inspired to move, create, and live more fully.

So after years of passionate talks about our shared love for dance, we finally decided to photograph the lovely art form.

Last week we had our first dance photography session with the truly lovable Chicago Luvabull dancer, Brittany Brown. Makeup artist Emily Wolf met us at the studio at 4 a.m., prepping Ms. Brittany with a soft, dewy look and big, flowing curls. With the look in place, we were off to catch the sunrise of North Avenue Beach.

We love this single frame of Brittany leap high into the sky. We’ll share all our favorites from the shoot next week and talk about our upcoming Dance Chicago Series. If you’re a dancer and would like to be involved, please e-mail us at [email protected] or call us at 773-273-9063.